How did people physically address an Olympian god during prayer?

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the gods on Olympus — Greek religion The gods on Olympus: Athena, Zeus, Dionysus, Hera, and Aphrodite. Detail of a painting on a Greek cup; in the National Archaeological Museum, Tarquinia, Italy.

When addressing an Olympian god during prayer, a suppliant would stand with their arms raised and palms turned upward. This physical posture was intended to help the worshipper approach the realm of the heavenly gods.12

In the context of Greek religion, this act of prayer was often part of a broader ritual pattern. Ceremonial prayers typically began with the washing of the hands, followed by the prayer itself, and concluded with sacrifice and libations. These prayers generally followed a structured format: an invocation of the deity, a justification for the request (such as past sacrifices or favors), and a final, specific plea.31